Dabwali Commission term extended till July 31

Chandigarh, Mar 23 (UNI) The Punjab and Haryana High Court today extended till July 31, the term of the Commission of Inquiry, which was constituted to decide the compensation to be paid to the kin of the deceased and injured seriously in the fire that broke out in a function at Dabwali in Sirsa district of Haryana in December 1995.

Over 400 persons including school children and women, had lost their lives in the fire that broke out at the annual function of a school being held at a marriage palace where an area had been covered with synthetic overhead sheets. In addition, nearly 250 persons were injured, at least fifty of them seriously.

A sum of Rs one lakh each as ex-gratia were immediately provided to the families of those killed in the fire by the state government.

The seriously injured were paid Rs 50,000 each and the medical treatment expenses were borne by the state government in line with the high court orders.

The Commission is headed by Hisar-based Justice T P Garg, a retired judge of the Allahabad High Court. The Commission has been conducting public hearing at Dabwali in connection with the claims filed by the affected families for compensation. As it was not yet ready with the final report, the Commission had sought more time to complete the assigned task.

The division bench of Chief Justice D K Jain and Justice Surya Kant ordered extension in time to the Commission.

UNI XC DP SB RS2016